Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
Yahweh promises to exile the Northern Israelites.
II. Photo
God mocks the people’s stupidity: “Can horses gallop on a rock?” (v. 12)
III. Important Verses
4-8: They lie on ivory beds, Lolling on their couches, Feasting on lambs from the flock And on calves from the stalls. They hum snatches of song To the tune of the lute — They account themselves musicians like David. They drink [straight] from the wine bowls And anoint themselves with the choicest oils — But they are not concerned about the ruin of Joseph. Assuredly, right soon They shall head the column of exiles; They shall loll no more at festive meals. My Lord GOD swears by Himself: I loathe the Pride of Jacob, And I detest his fortresses. I will declare forfeit city and inhabitants alike — declares the LORD, the God of Hosts.
9-10: If ten people are left in one house, they shall die. And if someone’s kinsman — who is to burn incense for him — comes to carry the remains out of a house, and he calls to the one at the rear of the house, “Are there any alive besides you?” he will answer, “No, none.” And he will say, “Hush!” — so that no one may utter the name of the LORD.
12: Can horses gallop on a rock? Can it be plowed with oxen? Yet you have turned justice into poison weed And the fruit of righteousness to wormwood.
IV. Outline
1-8. The Northern Israelites will be exiled, just like other nations
9-10. Death in Northern Israel
11. God will destroy the buildings
12. Metaphor about Israel’s iniquity
13. Mocking the people’s pride
14. God will bring an enemy into the land
V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.
VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Photo taken from